Robert Quirke goal helps secure U21 football win for Ballinora over Aghada

Ballinora 1-11

Aghada 1-5

Ballinora are through to the semi-final of the McCarthy Insurance Group U21A Football Championship after their win over Aghada at Caherlag on Sunday.

And they did it the hard way as they lost their influential player Shane Kingston to injury in the first half and were then reduced to 14 early in the second half.

But credit to Ballinora they never panicked and were deserving winners in the end.

Defensively, particularly when needed in the second half, the likes of Adam Laverty, Colin O’Flynn and Sean Lyons led by example. Outside of them the likes of Michael Quirke, Mark O’Brien and Robert Quirke worked hard all through.

Ballinora took the lead two minutes in when Kevin Werner pointed, with Fintan Cody replying at the other end.

A great run from O’Brien saw him restore Ballinora’s lead, with Robert Quirke making it 0-3 to 0-1.

Aghada were unlucky not to get a goal when Diarmuid Byrne played a great ball to Cody, but Nathan Davis saved superbly to deny him a green flag.

Michael Quirke and his brother, Robert, increased Ballinora’s lead, before Davis denied Aghada again.

This time he saved well from Cian Hegarty to keep his side in front, 0-5 to 0-1.

A free from Robert Quirke increased Ballinora’s lead, but credit to Aghada they finished the half strongly.

Points from Byrne and James Hurley saw them trail by 0-6 to 0-3 at half time.

Two minutes into the second half and they were back on level terms.

Hegarty was fouled and after consulting with his umpires, referee Ciaran Murphy awarded Aghada a penalty.

Hegarty cooly slotted home to see the sides level, 1-3 to -6.

Ivan Quirke put Ballinora back in front, but with 35 minutes gone he was sent off, for an off the ball incident.

Again credit to Ballinora they responded well, with Lyons and Robert Quirke getting the next two points.

John Walsh pulled a point back for Aghada, who were finding it difficult to make use of the extra man.

With 52 minutes gone the killer score came, with Robert Quirke making up for his brother Ivan after his sending off.

A brilliant ball from Ben Mayer played him in on goal and he blasted to the back of the net, to make it 1-10 to 1-4 and from here it was an uphill battle for Aghada.

Michael Quirke, twin brother of Ivan, raised another white flag, with Cody replying for Aghada.

Andrew O’Sullivan got the last score of the game for Ballinora who deservedly move on to the semi-final.

Scorers for Ballinora: R Quirke 1-4 (2f), M Quirke 0-2, K Werner, M O’Brien, I Quirke, A O’Sullivan (f), S Lyons 0-1 each.

Aghada: C Hegarty 1-0 (pen), F Cody 0-2, A Byrne (f), J Walsh (f), J Hurley 0-1 each.

BALLINORA: N Davis; D Byrne, A Laverty, S Lyons: C O’Flynn, I Quirke, M O’Brien; S Kingston, B Carbery; M Quirke, K Werner, R Quirke; A O’Sullivan, B Mayer, C O’Donoghue.

Subs: S Forde for S Kingston (16 inj), S Twohig for S Forde (50).

AGHADA: C O’Shea; C Geary, J Corkery, C Baxx; D Wallis, D Collins, S Whyte; J Walsh, C Hegarty; R Dean, D Byrne, J Hurley; R Murphy, J Motherway, F Cody.

Subs: A Murphy for R Dean (43), I Oosthuizen for C Baxx (50).

Referee: Ciaran Murphy, Glanworth.